Khan hailed his victory as the triumph of hope over fear and unity over division.His win was the most dramatic result in local and regional elections that produced few big changes but underscored Britains political divisions ahead of a referendum on whether to remain in the European Union.Labour Party candidate Khan received more than 1.3 million votes 57 percent of the total to Conservative rival Zac Goldsmiths 43 percent, after voters first and second preferences were allocated.Turnout was a relatively high 45.6 percent, up from 38 percent in 2012.Khans victory seemed certain for hours from partial results, but the official announcement came past midnight more than 24 hours after polls closed after delays due to what officials called small discrepancies in the count.Khan was elected to replace Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson after a campaign marked and many said marred by USA -style negative campaigning.
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Jeremy Corbyn was conspicuously absent from the ceremony but led congratulations on Twitter, telling the new mayor: “Can’t wait to work with you to create a London that is fair for all”.
Khan received 44.2% of first preference votes to Conservative Party candidate Zac Goldsmith’s 35.6%.
The life story of Sadiq Khan, 45, is as inspiring as his campaign.
Mr Goldsmith, who was earlier criticised for his campaign which repeatedly referenced Mr Khan sharing a platform with so-called Islamic extremists, congratulated his opponent.
Outgoing mayor Boris Johnson said: “Many congratulations to Sadiq on securing a huge mandate to do the best job in British politics”. Journalist and socialite Jemima Goldsmith tweeted: “Sad that Zac’s campaign did not reflect who I know him to be – an eco-friendly, independent-minded politician with integrity”.
The party retained its grip on power in the Welsh assembly, although it lost one seat.
Khan, a human rights lawyer turned politician, was the favorite heading into Thursday’s vote. But “discrepancies” in the count delayed the final result until after midnight, forcing supporters to put celebrations on ice. Londoners have elected the son of a Pakistani-born London bus driver as their mayor, making him the first Muslim to govern this city of 8.5 million residents.
Mr Khan, who confirmed to Sky News he was now standing down as MP for Tooting, said he wanted to represent “every single community in the city”. Londoners to fulfil their potential.
In his victory speech, he said that he had never imagined that someone of his background could be elected as the mayor of London, and he also said how this victory had encouraged him to be the mayor “for all Londoners”.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo added on Twitter that Khan’s “humanity, progressivism will benefit Londoners”.
In his speech, Mr Goldsmith said: “I’m disappointed of course by the result, that I won’t be able to deliver a manifesto that I’m really proud of”.
Before polling day, he urged Londoners to “choose hope over fear” and back him.
Khan’s victory ends eight years of Conservative control of City Hall.
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband, a close ally of Mr Khan, Met Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and campaigner Baroness Lawrence, mother of murdered black teenager Stephen, were all present as Dean of Southwark Andrew Nunn told the congregation Mr Khan’s victory brought a “carnival atmosphere” to the sacred building.
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The city’s new mayor appealed to voters as a true child of Britain’s diverse and dynamic capital.
